Women Rising: Strength, Voice, Leadership

Bold Women. Strong Voices. Real Change.

Your Executive has passed a motion to pay for the registration of up to 4 attendees to Women Rising: Strength, Voice and Leadership at the Best Western in St. Catharines on 3 days (June 19 – 21). Lunch is provided on both Saturday and Sunday.

If you would like to attend this exciting event, send an email to  info@cupe4207.org
Spots are being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

More information can be found here:

https://niagara.cupe.ca/womenrising/ 

End of Term Duties

Hello Everyone.

With the end of term upon us, it is a very hectic and stressful time of year. If you find yourself unable to complete grading by an expected due date, you should reach out for a grading extension. If an extension is denied, contact your union.

Collective Agreement language exists for members who are students that can help facilitate these types of grading extension requests (see below).

Your union is always here to help. If you need some help or advice, your union reps are just an email away  at info@cupe4207.org

In Solidarity,
Phil Wachel (president) and Brigitte Cecckin (Lead Steward, Unit 1)

6.11
It is understood by both parties that it is the responsibility of employees who are also

students, to manage their time appropriately in order to fulfill both their academic and

employment responsibilities. However, if an employee who is also a graduate student

can demonstrate that, through no fault of their own, a direct conflict exists between

employment responsibilities and a deadline for the completion of an academic

assignment (excluding tests and examinations), they may apply to the appropriate

Chair/Program Director(s) to reschedule, where possible and within the following two

(2) weeks, the employment responsibilities which created the direct conflict. It is

understood that requests for such rescheduling of work will not be unreasonably

sought by the employee, nor unreasonably denied by the Chair/Program Director(s).

Coffee Time

If you need a break from grading, join us in the Union Office (GLN A121). Snacks and drinks will be provided, and you’re welcome to meet executive members and socialize.

Every Wednesday and Friday in April, from 11 AM to 1 PM. Everyone is welcome!

2026 Election Results

Dear Members,

The elections committee is pleased to announce the results of the 2026 spring election. We thank all members who stood for positions and those who participated through voting. We hope you will all continue to be active in the union over the coming year.

The CUPE 4207 executive for 2026 are:

President– Phil Wachel (acclaimed)

VP Unit 1– Mark Omiecinski (acclaimed)

VP Grad– Kendra-Lee Dupuis (elected)

VP Unit 1 Instructors– Nwakerendu (Kay) Waboso (elected)

VP Unit 2-3– Georgina Keller(acclaimed)

VP Unit 4– Rebecca LaRocca (acclaimed)

VP Unit 5– Christine Bellini (acclaimed)

Treasurer– Darrin Sunstrum (acclaimed)

Lead Steward Unit 1– Tracy Stewart (elected)

Lead Steward Unit 2-3– Donna Pearce (acclaimed)

Lead Steward Unit 4– Amanda Singer (acclaimed)

Lead Steward Unit 5– Diane Newman (acclaimed)

Recording Secretary– Karen Hofman (elected)

Membership Outreach Officer– Dan Barnowski (elected)

Equity Officer– Steph Kravcik (acclaimed)

Health & Safety Officer– Ben Johnson (elected)

The CUPE 4207 Deputy Health & Safety is:

Mark Omiecinski (elected)

The CUPE4207 elected delegates to the Niagara District CUPE Council are:

Dan Barnowski

Steph Kravcik

Nicole Lemieux

Phil Wachel

Stacyann Williams

The CUPE 4207 elected delegate to the Niagara Regional Labour Council is:

Steph Kravcik

All members are warmly invited to participate in CUPE 4207 committees. These committees play a critical role in supporting the work of the union.

-Benefits Committee

-Bylaws Committee

-Communications Committee

-Education Committee

-Environmental Justice Committee

-Equity Committee

-Health, Safety, and Wellness Committee

-Organizing Committee

-Stewards Council

-Social Committee

We encourage all members to complete the Member in Good Standing (MGS) form available on the CUPE4207 website. This process will allow you to vote in future elections and member meetings.

Once again, the election committee would like to thank you for your participation in this vital process.

In solidarity,

Your election committee

Alison Innes, Sandra Kroeker, Tanima Ferdous

2026 Annual General Meeting

Members are invited to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 21st, 4:00 pm. Members can attend either virtually or in person. Please register HERE. Remember to register 24 hours in advance to vote. Those attending in-person can enjoy a light dinner. Location emailed once you register.

United We Bowl!

United We Bowl! Open to all All Members in Good Standing!

Saturday, April 11th, 2026 from 11am to 1pm.

Fairview Lanes Bowling, St. Catharines.

We hope to see you there! (click HERE for Member in Good Standing Form info).

CUPE 4207 Social Committee

Election Update

Election Update from the Elections Committee:

Dear Members,

Voting in the CUPE4207 annual elections continues! There are a few important updates we would like all members to be aware of: 

  1. The election for Lead Stewart Unit 1 is being re-run due to technical error. The elections committee apologies for the error and any confusion it has caused. In the interest of fairness, the elections committee has declared the ballot sent out Saturday, March 28 invalid and has issued a new ballot Monday, March 30. 
  2. The round normally scheduled to go out this Friday will be pushed to Saturday due to Friday being a stat holiday. Please look for your ballot after 6 pm on Saturday.

The voting schedule for 2026 is as follows:

Round 1 (CLOSED): Thursday, March 26, 6 pm until Saturday, March 28, 6:30 pm (This was for VP Unit 1 Grad, VP Unit 1 Instructor, delegates to Niagara District CUPE Council, and delegate to Niagara Regional Labour Council.)

Round 2 (INVALID DUE TO TECHNICAL ERROR): Saturday, March 28, 6 pm until Monday, March 30, 6 pm 

Round 3: Monday, March 30, 6 pm until Wednesday, April 1, 6 pm (Lead Stewart Unit 1 and Niagara Region Labour Council rep)

Round 4: Wednesday, April 1, 6:30 pm until Friday, April 3, 6 pm.

Round 5: Saturday, April 4, 6:00 pm until Monday, April 6, 6 pm*.

Round 6: Monday, April 6, 6:00 pm until Wednesday, April 8, 6 pm.

Round 7 (if needed): Wednesday, April 8, 6:00 pm until Friday, April 10, 6 pm.

*Round five would normally fall on Friday evening (48 hours after round four), but as Friday, April 3 is a stat holiday, the Elections Committee will send out the ballot on Saturday.

Voting is open for 48 hours after each ballot is sent out. There will be multiple rounds of ballots, as a winning candidate must obtain the majority of votes cast (CUPE4207 Bylaw 7-12). Ballots are sent by email to all members in good standing (MGS) to the email address they have given the union. 

If you cannot see your ballot in your inbox, please check your junk mail/spam folders and add CUPE4207 to your email address book. Each ballot is open for 48 hours.

When all positions have been filled and voting rounds are completed, the elections committee will send out the official results. We will also email all candidates directly.

Thank you for participating in this vital function of our local!

The Elections Committee,Alison Innes, Tanima Ferdous, Sandra Kroeker

Immediate Pause and Backtrack of Staff Layoffs and Major Restructuring

The Issue

Students at Brock University: We need your voices and support. Please sign and share this petition calling for an immediate pause and a backtrack on the major restructuring involving staff layoffs.

https://www.change.org/p/immediate-pause-and-backtrack-of-staff-layoffs-and-major-restructuring

The lack of consultation and transparency regarding the upper administration’s decision to undertake a major restructuring involving staff layoffs has silenced students and removed our perspectives from deliberations.

We are seeing/have seen significant layoffs across all departments and programs, beginning with administrative assistants, academic coordinators, and some academic advisors.

Many students can name staff members who have provided crucial and vital support when distressed and/or played crucial roles in funding, food programs, housing referrals, student events, and mental health services.

These layoffs also come at a time of OSAP cuts; not only are students being asked to bear greater financial burdens, but the student experience is also being weakened by the reduction of beloved staff. These changes may influence our degree timelines and even negatively impact retention and graduation rates.

We, as students at Brock University, stand in solidarity with affected staff members and join others in the university community in asking for:

  1. An immediate pause on the restructuring and a backtrack on layoffs
  2. Revaluation of the restructure based on meaningful consultation with students to determine the impacts on student experience and related next steps.

Unit 4 Reaches Tentative Agreement – Ratification Presentation & Vote

The Unit 4 (Clinical Nursing Instructors) Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement with the employer.

There will be two Ratification Vote Presentations for Unit 4 Members.

Wednesday, April 1st at 10 am on Zoom

Register HERE.

Wednesday, April 1st at 4pm on Zoom.

Register HERE:

The Ratification vote will begin after the second presentation.